"We were sluggish and slow," said the Algoma University Thunderbirds head coach.

But his team came out firing in the second half Wednesday, making over 61 per cent of its field goal attempts.

The result was an 84-45 victory over the Sault College Cougars in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's basketball action at the George Leach Centre.

Leading just 29-19 at intermission, the T-Birds "shot the ball well against their zone in the second half," Cory said. "We had better ball movement and we locked in defensively on some of their guys."

Reynaldo Carnakie was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line and led the winners with 20 points.

Jovain Wilson had 18 points and eight rebounds while Dele Oworu was also a standout, contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Mike Jackman hit a trio of three-pointers and added nine points as Algoma improved its record to 6-3.

Jason Ledgister had 12 points in a losing effort.

Kojo Afari added eight and Aaron Brown had six.

"We were decent in the first half," said Cougars head coach Greg Mapp. "The defensive effort was good. But they shot the ball well in the second half. They've got guys who can light it up and they're tough to contain."

Mapp said his team misses last year's starting point guard, Terell Carr, and was playing Wednesday without leading scorer Odane Ferguson, out with a torn oblique.

The loss dropped Sault College's OCAA record to 0-9.

"It's been a tough go," Mapp said.

Meantime, in the women's game, a balanced attack powered Algoma University past Sault College 58-31.

Misaki Kawai and Amanda Orr scored 12 points each for the Thunderbirds, who held a 25-11 halftime lead.